Travel guide for Ukraine: Safety, entry requirements and essential tips

One of the most underrated countries in Europe. Ukraine is one of the most magical countries, with countless treasures, history, amazing architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and so many other attractions. The main feature of this country is its people and how they keep their traditions. In our article below, you will find all the necessary information before your first visit to Ukraine.

Ukraine — Important safety notice

Ukraine has been under Russia’s full-scale military invasion since February 24, 2022. Active conflict continues, and this guide reflects the current wartime reality.

Travel advisories:

• 🇺🇸 US State Department: Level 4 — Do Not Travel to Ukraine due to Russia’s ongoing war
• 🇬🇧 UK FCDO: Advises against all travel to Ukraine
• 🇪🇺 EU member states: Advise against non-essential travel
• 🇦🇺 Australia / 🇨🇦 Canada: Do Not Travel advisories in effect

Current situation:

• Airspace is closed, and no commercial flights operate into or out of Ukraine
• Missile and drone attacks occur across all regions, including Kyiv and Lviv
• A nationwide curfew is in effect under martial law
• Medical insurance is mandatory for all foreign visitors entering Ukraine
• Men aged 18–60 who hold Ukrainian citizenship are subject to mobilization restrictions

Entry is only possible by land via Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, or Moldova. Train and bus connections from neighboring EU countries remain operational.

If you choose to travel to Ukraine, understand that no region is completely safe. Visitors must:

• Download air raid alert apps (Air Raid Siren, Alarm Map) and keep notifications on at all times
• Know the location of the nearest shelter at all times
• Follow all curfew restrictions
• Have comprehensive travel insurance that covers war-zone risks (standard policies typically do not)
• Register with your country’s embassy before arrival
• Have an evacuation plan

For the most current information, check your government’s official travel advisory before making any decisions.

Which parts of Ukraine are relatively accessible?

No part of Ukraine is entirely safe due to the risk of missile and drone attacks across the entire country. However, some western regions are considered relatively more accessible than frontline areas:

🟡 Kyiv (caution — ongoing aerial attacks): The capital continues to function, public transport runs, museums and restaurants are open, and daily life carries on with extraordinary resilience. However, Kyiv faces regular missile and drone attacks. Air defense systems (US Patriot, German IRIS-T, Norwegian NASAMS) intercept most threats. Air raid shelters, including metro stations, are widely available. A city that refuses to be defined by fear, but visitors must be prepared to shelter at any time.

🟢 Lviv (western Ukraine — relatively safer): Western Ukraine’s cultural capital — UNESCO-listed Old Town, vibrant café culture, intact historic architecture. Lviv is far from the frontline areas and has robust air defense. It sees some international visitors and remains culturally active. The city pauses at 9 am daily for a minute of silence to honor the fallen. Still subject to occasional drone/missile incidents.

🟢 Carpathian Mountains / Zakarpattia: Ukraine’s westernmost region — bordering Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. Mountain scenery, hiking, ski resorts, and traditional villages. Furthest from active combat zones. Most accessible for overland visitors entering from the EU.

🟢 Chernivtsi / Ivano-Frankivsk: Historic southwestern cities with beautiful architecture and active cultural scenes. Considered among the more stable regions.

🔴 DO NOT VISIT: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv oblasts — active combat, heavy shelling, Russian military presence. Crimea is occupied by Russia and off-limits.

Ukraine entry requirements

Entry into Ukraine is significantly more complex than before the war. The following applies:

All nationalities:

• Medical insurance is mandatory, which must cover potential costs, including war-related risks; standard travel policies usually exclude war zones
• The passport must be valid for the duration of stay
• Proof of accommodation and sufficient funds may be required at the border

EU/US/Canadian /Australian citizens: Visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism purposes, same rules as pre-war, but entry is now infinitely more complex given the security situation

Ukrainian dual citizens (men 18–60): Subject to mobilization restrictions, may face significant difficulties entering and exiting Ukraine. Always travel with your Ukrainian passport if you hold Ukrainian citizenship.

Registration: If staying in private accommodation (not a hotel), the host must register you with local police within 24 hours of arrival.

Budget

Those who plan to visit Ukraine should know that it is a very economical country and that it will be difficult to waste a lot of money. However, the accommodation options are plenty and can cover all available budgets.

Low budget: For those who want a low budget stay and do not care about the size of the room, they can choose one of the hostels. Rooms can start at €5 and go up to €13. These hostels have mixed dormitories, with a shared bathroom, shared kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and are not far from the main points of interest in the big cities.

Low-cost hostels in Ukraine can be found on HostelWorld

Mid budget: Mid-range hotels cost from approximately €18 to €72. These hotels provide cable TV in your room, private bathroom, free Wi-Fi, breakfast, hot tub, sauna, restaurant, and hotel bar, as well as an airport shuttle service. Their location is in the city centers and close to points of interest.

High budget: In the third part of accommodation are those who want special attention and luxury during their stay. Hotels of this choice are 4-5 stars and cost from 75€ to 225€. Here you will enjoy top hospitality and amenities, such as beautifully decorated rooms and suites, with kitchenettes, indoor and outdoor pools, and on-site restaurants serving fine cuisine and game rooms for children.

The above prices have come from searches for alternative dates, with a criterion of 2 people per room. Emphasis has been placed on the summer months, which are the high season for Ukraine. In winter, the prices fluctuate at lower levels.

Best hotel deals can be found on Booking.com

Traditional Food

Sometimes it is difficult to determine which dishes are Ukrainian and which are Russian, as you can find them in both countries. In any case, Ukrainian cuisine is rich, and its portions are large. In the big cities, you will find shops of well-known chains, but also cuisines of foreign countries, which will cover every choice. Below, we will mention some classic traditional foods.

Borsch: The national dish they are proud of is Borsch. It is a soup of cabbage, beets, potatoes, tomatoes, and meat, a mixture that creates a rich and unique taste. You will find the traditional borsch in restaurants all over the country, and it is served mainly hot and cold.

Salo: This unusual snack, salo, is considered one of the symbols of hospitality in Ukraine. They are salty slices of pork fat and are served with bread and vodka. It is usually used as an appetizer, but many people eat it as a main course.

Varenyky: An economical dish served everywhere, from restaurants to cafes, and it is a safe choice when you do not know what to order. Varenyky are stuffed pasta, usually made with savory fillings such as meat, potatoes, mushrooms, and cabbage.

Cottage cheese or cherries are usually the filling for sweet varenyky. Cherry varenyky are considered the classic dessert of Ukrainian cuisine and are served with sour cream and sugar on top.

Syrniki: A delicacy served for breakfast or brunch, and you can try them in most cafes and restaurants in the country. Syrniki are small, thick pancakes stuffed with cottage cheese, but may also contain apple and other ingredients. The syrniki are served with jam and sour cream.

Chicken Kyiv: One of the most famous dishes of Ukrainian cuisine, but also worldwide. It is a combination of chicken fillet coated with a mixture of grated cheese, parsley, dill, mushrooms, and pepper, in a beaten egg yolk, which is fried. It is the first dish that food lovers order when they visit Ukraine.

Deruny: A popular dish in Ukrainian restaurants across the country. This dish is preferred as breakfast or dinner and is basically potato pancakes with various variations, such as meat, onions, mushrooms, and spices. Whether they are the classic plain potato pancakes or their variations, they are served with sour cream.

Transportation

Plane: The main airport of Ukraine is Kyiv Boryspil Airport, located 40 km from the city center of Kyiv. Odessa also has its own international airport and is 7 miles from the city center, although it serves mainly European flights. Ukraine International Airlines is the main carrier for domestic flights.

Train: Trains in Ukraine connect most cities and towns in the country. Many of the trains have an old, Soviet feel to them, but they are safe, reliable, and cheap. Most train staff do not speak English, so buy your ticket online or ask your hostel/hotel to write down what you need. To get the best prices, book at least a week or two in advance, especially during the summer months when they are sold out very quickly.

There are many night routes, and you can spend the night on one of the trains while travelling to your destination. First-class sofas, private and shared, bedrooms, and regular beds are available.

Metro: Kyiv has its own metro and is a fast and economical way to get around the city. Trains pass every 2-10 minutes. The metro operates daily from 6 a.m. until midnight.

Buses: Buses are a great way to travel; tickets can be purchased upon boarding or at city kiosks.

Ukraine has small, old buses that are usually full, but also larger, more modern buses. Flixbus is your best choice, as their buses are clean, reliable, and cheap.

Cable car: Kyiv has a cable car, which is fast and goes from the north center to the south center of the city. This is a picturesque and unique way of travelling.

Car rental: To rent a car, you must be at least 21-25 years old and have an international driver’s license. The roads are in bad condition, and the drivers are aggressive, so drive carefully. More offers for rentals can be seen on Discovercars.com.

Uber: Uber is available throughout Ukraine, and we recommend it as the safest way to travel. You already know how much your route will cost, and you feel more secure as you watch your route.

What to do in Ukraine

Agia Sophia Cathedral

Agia Sophia is located in the city of Kyiv and is considered one of the most precious diamonds of architecture in the world. It contains a complex of museums and monuments of the ancient Russian empire of Kyiv, which used the temple as a burial place for its rulers.

Built in the 11th century in Kiev, since 1990 it is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has an ornate baroque exterior with 13 gold and green domes. Inside the cathedral, you will see beautiful frescoes and preserved mosaics made by Byzantine artists. Outside the temple, there are several gardens, and the large golden bell tower stands out, where you can climb and enjoy the panoramic view of Kyiv.

Chernobyl

As is well known, in 1989, the most serious nuclear accident in history occurred: the explosion of the Chernobyl plant in the city of Pripyat (about 100 km from Kyiv). The explosion had serious effects on the environment and health due to exposure to radioactivity.

Today, it is open to the public – but you must visit via an authorized travel company. Travel agents can pick up guests from their hotel and drop them off after the tour. During the transfer, an information video about the disaster is displayed. The narration and the real shots of the video prepare the guests for the tour that follows. The tour takes visitors to many buildings, and some look like a movie backdrop.

If you are worried about radiation, tests have shown that travellers are more exposed to radioactivity on a transatlantic flight than during a visit to Chernobyl. We suggest that you do not miss the opportunity to live this incredibly stirring experience, which will remain engraved in your mind for a long time.

Arcadia Beach

Arcadia Beach is the most famous beach in Ukraine and is located in Odesa. It is the most popular place during the summer months, as it is the main summer getaway in the country. Here you will find many bars, clubs, resorts, and cafes. It consists of the main large beach, which has water slides and plenty of space for swimming and relaxation, and the small beaches around. We suggest you make sure you get to the beach early and catch a good spot, as it fills up in the summer.

Tunnel of Love

Outside the city of Klevan, the Love Tunnel is one of the most popular attractions in Ukraine. This much-photographed place is 3 km of railroad tracks, with a canopy of trees above that creates the illusion of an endless tunnel. Legend has it that the wish which couples make here, if they are truly in love, will come true.

Hiking in the Carpathian Mountains

Known as the green pearl of Ukraine. The Carpathian Mountains are a mix of 1500 km of beautiful meadows, peaks, dense forests, picturesque villages, rugged rivers, and mountain lakes. The Carpathian Mountains are an ideal place to enjoy cycling, horse riding, hiking, rafting, or just the fresh mountain air. For an all-day hike, climb to the top of Hoverla and enjoy the stunning views at 2,061 meters. Its flora and fauna are identical in nature to the Alps. Also, Lake Synevyr is a mysterious attraction of the Carpathian National Park, and it creates a landscape that will take your breath away.

Kievo

Kyiv, the capital and largest city of Ukraine, is a unique combination of Soviet and European culture and architecture. This green city is full of beautiful trees and parks, and the memories of World War II are well preserved in the war memorial at the foot of the Rodina-Matt and the 102-meter-tall statue of the Motherland.

In addition to beautiful churches and cathedrals such as St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Agia Sophia, and Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Cave Monastery), Kyiv is home to the world’s longest train station – the Arsenalna. The city also has the Kyiv Opera House, and if you are in the city, be sure to take a stroll through the streets of the beautiful Maidan (city center).

Catacombs of Odessa

It is the largest catacomb system in the world, with over 2,500 kilometers of catacombs below the city! They were created in the 17th century and expanded when the city mined limestone in the early 19th century (limestone was used to build the city). The catacombs were used by Soviet guerrillas during World War II after the Germans forced them to retreat.

Today, some of the catacombs have been rebuilt and turned into a museum. Visitors are allowed to see the exact conditions in which the guerrillas of the time lived. It is dangerous to explore them yourself (several people have been lost and have left their bones there), but you can book your tour with an experienced guide for 250 UAH.

Lviv

Lviv is the cultural capital of Ukraine. It is located 540 km west of Kyiv, has an atmosphere of Central Europe, and is full of history and incredible architecture. Be sure to wander around the Old Town, visit the Lviv History Museum, and enjoy the view from the High Castle. For a look at the city’s past, visit the Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (it is an open-air museum with all kinds of traditional wooden buildings).

Lychakiv Cemetery houses more than 400,000 graves, each popular and unique in its own way. Its historic center has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chernivsti University

Founded in 1875, this university is the most fascinating piece of architecture in Chernivtsi, a city in western Ukraine. It is made of beautiful red bricks and is decorated with thousands of coloured tiles. The design of the building was influenced by the Byzantine-Hanseatic-Moorish style. You can book your guided tours of the university for 80 UAH.

Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle

Kamenets Podolsky Castle is located in Kamianets-Podilskyi, a short walk from the Old Town, and is an impressive attraction. This fortress, which already existed before the 14th century, is the ideal place to take photos and a tour, as it resembles a fairytale castle.

Take a tour inside and admire the areas. Although this castle is centuries old, it has modern amenities such as baths and a café to enjoy your visit. The castle is also especially beautiful at night when it is lit.

After exploring the castle, make a stop at the old town and dine in one of the many restaurants there.

Fields of sunflowers

Sunflower oil is one of the largest exports of Ukraine, so you will notice huge fields of sunflowers all over the country. With shades ranging from yellow to golden orange, these flowers are the size of dishes and beautify the country. It is also important to know that the flowering period of the flowers is in July and the beginning of August. Also important for those who want to enter the fields and photograph them is to stay on the edge of the fields, as there is a chance of getting lost.

Packing Tips & When to Go

Warm clothes: Depending on when you plan your trip to Ukraine, you will need the appropriate warm clothes. In winter, the temperatures are quite low, sometimes below 0 ° C. Isothermal, warm sweaters, gloves, hats, and scarves are necessary to be able to withstand these low temperatures. But even in summer, the temperatures can be high during the day, and at night they can drop quite low.

Umbrella / Waterproof: Especially in autumn and spring, it rains a lot in Ukraine. With the possibility of rain always imminent, we suggest you bring an umbrella or raincoat with you, so that the rain does not spoil your plans.

Comfortable shoes: Good and stable shoes are essential for your tours in the cities of Ukraine. Kyiv is a city that has many slopes and has many places worth walking around. So make sure you have your comfortable shoes on to enjoy your walks.

Hiking equipment: For hiking enthusiasts who have chosen the Carpathian Mountains, we suggest that you have your own equipment, to avoid the charge in renting it.

The most popular time to visit Ukraine is in the summer. From June to August, the days are sunny, and the temperature ranges from 18 to 24 ° C. This period is also the most touristic. However, the country receives only about 14 million tourists each year, so do not expect to see huge crowds.

If you want to avoid the peak tourist season, you can visit Ukraine in May or September / October. The weather is not so hot these months, but you will see flowers blooming in the Carpathian mountains or the leaves changing colour in autumn. At night, the temperature drops, but during the day, it is ideal for sightseeing or hiking.

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Ukraine Travel Guide FAQ — Everything you need to know